Bellini Necklace
Vintage 1960s Unknown Choker Necklaces
Antique 16th Century Italian Renaissance Pendant Necklaces
Crystal, Silver, Enamel, Copper, Gold
1960s Dutch Maxi Dress
1970s Surrealist Abstract Prints
Etching, Aquatint
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1960s Cocktail Dresses
Vintage 1950s American Modern Clip-on Earrings
1990s Italian Evening Gowns
1990s Blouses
Antique Late 19th Century British Victorian Brooches
Diamond, Natural Pearl, Ruby, Yellow Gold, 18k Gold
Vintage 1960s American Modern Choker Necklaces
1960s American Evening Dresses and Gowns
1970s French Aesthetic Day Dresses
20th Century Maxi Dress
Early 20th Century French Belle Époque More Jewelry
Diamond, Platinum
1980s American Cocktail Dresses
1880s American Evening Dresses
Antique 1840s Italian Classical Roman More Jewelry
Coral, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Vintage 1930s French Brooches
Amethyst, Pearl, Quartz, Gold, Gilt Metal, Yellow Gold
1950s French Evening Dresses and Gowns
2010s French Evening Dresses
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2010s Italian Contemporary Chain Necklaces
Gold, 18k Gold, Gold Plate
2010s Italian Modern Pendant Necklaces
Brown Diamond, 18k Gold
2010s Italian Contemporary Link Necklaces
White Diamond, 18k Gold
2010s Italian Contemporary Pendant Necklaces
White Diamond, 18k Gold
2010s Italian Modern Pendant Necklaces
Brown Diamond, 18k Gold
2010s Italian Modern Pendant Necklaces
18k Gold
2010s Italian Modern Pendant Necklaces
Amethyst, White Diamond, Brown Diamond, 18k Gold
2010s Italian Modern Link Necklaces
White Diamond, 18k Gold
2010s Italian Modern Pendant Necklaces
White Diamond, 18k Gold
2010s Italian Contemporary Pendant Necklaces
Diamond, Brown Diamond, 18k Gold
2010s Italian Modern Pendant Necklaces
White Diamond, Cultured Pearl, 18k Gold
2010s Italian Contemporary Pendant Necklaces
White Diamond, Blue Sapphire, 18k Gold
2010s Italian Modern Pendant Necklaces
White Diamond, Brown Diamond, 18k Gold
2010s Italian Modern Pendant Necklaces
White Diamond, Brown Diamond, Sapphire, 18k Gold
2010s Italian Contemporary Pendant Necklaces
White Diamond, Brown Diamond, Sapphire, 18k Gold
2010s Italian Modern Pendant Necklaces
White Diamond, Brown Diamond, Pink Sapphire, 18k Gold
2010s Italian Contemporary Pendant Necklaces
White Diamond, Black Diamond, Brown Diamond, 18k Gold
2010s Italian Contemporary Link Necklaces
White Diamond, 18k Gold
2010s Italian Contemporary Link Necklaces
White Diamond, 18k Gold
2010s Italian Modern Pendant Necklaces
White Diamond, 18k Gold
2010s Italian Contemporary Pendant Necklaces
White Diamond, Brown Diamond, 18k Gold
2010s Italian Modern Pendant Necklaces
White Diamond, Brown Diamond, 18k Gold
2010s Italian Modern Pendant Necklaces
White Diamond, Brown Diamond, Quartz, 18k Gold
2010s Italian Modern Pendant Necklaces
White Diamond, Brown Diamond, 18k Gold
2010s Italian Modern Pendant Necklaces
White Diamond, 18k Gold
2010s Italian Modern Pendant Necklaces
White Diamond, Brown Diamond, 18k Gold
2010s Italian Contemporary Pendant Necklaces
White Diamond, Blue Sapphire, 18k Gold
2010s Italian Contemporary Pendant Necklaces
White Diamond, Blue Sapphire, 18k Gold
2010s Italian Modern Pendant Necklaces
White Diamond, Brown Diamond, 18k Gold
2010s Italian Modern Chain Necklaces
White Diamond, Brown Diamond, 18k Gold
2010s Italian Modern Pendant Necklaces
White Diamond, 18k Gold
2010s Italian Modern Pendant Necklaces
White Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold
2010s Italian Modern Pendant Necklaces
White Diamond, Ruby, Pink Sapphire, 18k Gold
2010s Italian Contemporary Multi-Strand Necklaces
White Diamond, 18k Gold
2010s Italian Contemporary Pendant Necklaces
Diamond, Blue Sapphire, 18k Gold
2010s Italian Contemporary Chain Necklaces
Brown Diamond, 18k Gold
20th Century Modernist Pendant Necklaces
Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Finding the Right necklaces for You
We are fortunate to know much of the world’s long and dazzling history of necklaces, as this type of jewelry was so treasured that it was frequently buried with its owners.
Lapis lazuli beads adorned necklaces unearthed from the royal graves at the ancient Iraqi civilization of Sumer, while the excavation of King Tut’s burial chamber revealed a sense of style that led to a frenzy of Art Deco designs, with artisans of the 1920s seeking to emulate the elegant work crafted by Ancient Egypt’s goldsmiths and jewelry makers.
In ancient times, pendant necklaces worn by royalty and nobles conferred wealth and prestige. Today, wearing jewelry is about personal expression: Luxury diamond necklaces exude confidence and can symbolize the celebratory nature of a deep romantic relationship, while paper-clip chain-link necklaces designed by the likes of goldsmith Faye Kim are firmly planted in the past as well as the present. Kim works exclusively with eco-friendly gold, and these fashionable, fun accessories owe to the design of 19th-century watch fobs.
For some, necklaces are thought of as being a solely feminine piece, but this widely loved accessory has been gender-neutral for eons. In fact, just as women rarely took to wearing a single necklace during the Renaissance, men of the era layered chains and valuable pendants atop their bejeweled clothing. In modern times, the free-spirited hippie and counterculture movements of the 1960s saw costume-jewelry designers celebrating self-expression through colorful multistrand necklaces and no shortage of beads, which were worn by anyone and everyone.
Even after all of these years, the necklace remains an irrefutable staple of any complete outfit. Although new trends in jewelry are constantly emerging, the glamour and beauty of the past continue to inform modern styles and designs. In a way, the cyclical history of the necklace differs little from its familiar looped form: The celebrated French jewelry house Van Cleef & Arpels found much inspiration in King Tut, and, now, their Alhambra collection is a go-to for modern royals. Vintage necklaces designed by David Webb — whose work landed him on the cover of Vogue in 1950, two years after opening his Manhattan shop — were likely inspired by the ornamental styles of ancient Greece, Mesopotamia and Egypt.
On 1stDibs, browse top designers like Cartier, Tiffany & Co. and Bulgari, or shop by your favorite style, from eye-catching choker necklaces to understated links to pearl necklaces and more.